Save the Cat rankings

I Am Legend script analysis

I Am Legend script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

In a post‐apocalyptic Los Angeles, Dr. Robert Neville prowls an empty city, hunting infected creatures by day and lamenting humanity’s fall by night. His solitary routine is disrupted when he encounters other survivors, igniting hope and revealing a possible cure. As alliances form and the infected close in, Neville faces betrayal and loss before making a final stand. The story closes on a new beginning for humanity sparked by Neville’s sacrifice.

80 Save the Cat fit score 50% analysis confidence / 25 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

60%

Introduces Neville as the lone survivor driving through a deserted suburb, setting the bleak tone.

2

Theme Stated

Scene 2 / Page 2 / 5% target

60%

News anchor Matthias questions whether survival marks the end of technological man, stating the theme of survival and human resilience.

so now the question is survival. Is this the end of technological man? Is this the conclusion of...
3

Set-Up

Scenes 1-3 / Pages 1-3 / 10% target

50%

Establishes Neville’s routines—chess, killing infected—and the devastated world he inhabits.

4

Catalyst

Scene 4 / Page 4 / 12% target

60%

Neville encounters Lisa alive in a store, shattering his belief that he’s the sole human.

Wait...come back...wait... Youre real! Youre not...
5

Debate

Scenes 5-6 / Pages 5-6 / 20% target

50%

Neville is ambushed and judged by the Family, questioning whether he can trust or defeat them.

6

Break into Two

Scene 8 / Page 8 / 25% target

60%

Escaping execution in the stadium marks Neville’s plunge into active conflict with the Family.

7

B Story

Scene 9 / Page 9 / 30% target

60%

Lisa formally introduces Neville to her survivor group, beginning the emotional subplot.

All right, son of a bitch. Just hold tight... Uh-uh, dont turn. Stand. When I want you turned,...
8

Fun and Games

Scenes 10-12 / Pages 10-12 / 40% target

50%

Life in the hideout—planning treatment for Richie and sharing backstories—constitutes the hopeful, exploratory section.

9

Midpoint

Scene 11 / Page 11 / 50% target

60%

Neville believes his blood antibodies could cure the plague, offering a false victory.

My blood could be a serum. At this stage the antibodies might turn it around ... stop it...
10

Bad Guys Close In

Scenes 13-14 / Pages 13-14 / 65% target

60%

The generator failing and Matthias plotting an assault intensify the threat to Neville’s sanctuary.

11

All Is Lost

Scene 20 / Page 20 / 75% target

70%

Richie’s execution by Matthias represents Neville’s deepest blow and the loss of hope.

12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scene 23 / Page 23 / 80% target

60%

Neville mourns over Richie’s body, questioning the worth of his struggle.

What a waste, Richie, what a stupid waste.
13

Break into Three

Scene 24 / Page 24 / 85% target

60%

Discovering Lisa’s departure to the Family steels Neville’s resolve for a final confrontation.

14

Finale

Scene 25 / Page 25 / 95% target

70%

Neville fights Matthias in the plaza, sacrificing himself to secure the survivors’ escape.

15

Final Image

Scene 25 / Page 25 / 99% target

60%

Survivors arrive at dawn, symbolizing a new beginning born from Neville’s sacrifice.